Chapter 3 - Time Line for Master's Students

The Master's program in the School generally requires 2 years (six terms) of full-time study to complete. Funding including TA, QGA, RA (if applicable) and any other external or internal funding award, is only available to students for this period of time. Below is the typical time line for degrees in the School:

  • Term 1: Coursework
  • Term 2: Coursework
  • Term 3: Write proposal; proposal meeting with Advisory Committee; Thesis research
  • Term 4: Thesis research and writing
  • Term 5 and 6: Complete thesis and thesis defense At the end of each term you and your Supervisor will be asked to report on your progress to date.

A record of your progress is kept in your SKHS graduate student file. Regulations concerning the time limits established by SGS for completing degrees, and the special circumstances in which these time limits may be altered, are set out in the SGS Calendar.

Time Line Regulation Effective for Entry Beginning September 2013

The School of Graduate Studies created a new time line requirement for all graduate students to take effect for those entering the master's program beginning 01 September 2013.  The full regulation is available on the SGS website here:  Time Line Regulation or in a PDF format here.  All students who began their program prior to 01 September 2013 will be grandfathered under the former regulations available via the SGS Calendar link above.

Full Time Study

All graduate students begin their study in an on-campus, full-time capacity. The School does not offer any part-time programs. Master's students typically study for two years in an on campus, full-time capacity.  It is possible to switch to part-time status in the 3rd year of study.

Change of Status to Part Time Study

As a part-time student your tuition fees will be reduced to half. As an off-campus student you will no longer be required to pay a variety of other on campus status fees.

In 3rd year you may change your status to Part-Time Off Campus.  There are criteria that must be met to be granted this status. You must make application 30 days in advance of the requested change i.e. apply in August to begin part-time in September.

  1. Prepare a Plan of Study with hard dates, including a proposed oral defense date, in consultation with your supervisor.  This document may be in the form of an email.
  2. Obtain signed permission from your supervisor on the Plan of Study.
  3. Prepare the Part Time On or Off Campus Form, sign it and have your supervisor sign it.
  4. Arrange to visit with the SKHS Graduate Assistant (aam2@queensu.ca / Angie x75214) to prepare the Academic Change Form, obtain the SKHS Director's approval, and submit the package to SGS for consideration.

You will receive notification from SGS via email in approximately 15 days from the date of submission.